Australia's biggest purpose-built fishing reef takes shape in Port Hedland

A long-held vision of the Port Hedland fishing community is becoming reality, with construction officially underway on Australia’s largest purpose-built artificial reef for recreational fishing.

The first concrete has been poured for the Port Hedland Artificial Reef, marking a major milestone for a project that has been years in the making and driven by the passion, advocacy and collaboration of local fishing and boating groups.

The locally constructed reef comprises 300 purpose-built modules, making it the largest artificial reef of its kind in Australia and increasing the benefits it will deliver for local fishers and the marine environment.

Funded by BHP and delivered in partnership with Recfishwest and Pilbara Ports, the reef will create a new fishing destination north-west of Port Hedland.

BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day said the new reef would be a game changer, providing more opportunities to throw in a line.

"Fishing and boating are a huge part of the Pilbara way of life – that’s why we're excited to partner with Recfishwest and Pilbara Ports to give locals and tourists a new destination to enjoy their passion for years to come. 

“This is a generational project that will ensure Port Hedland and the Pilbara continue to be great places to live and work," Tim said.

BHP General Manager Port Dan Mossman said the first pour was an exciting moment for a project that reflects what can be achieved when industry and community work together.

"This reef is testament to the vision and advocacy of local community groups – it’s exciting to see that vision becoming a reality," Dan said.

"We're proud to support a project that will create new opportunities for people to enjoy fishing and boating and deliver lasting benefits for the community and marine environment."

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said the reef would build on the success of artificial reefs across Western Australia, delivering lasting benefits for the Pilbara community.

“The relatively featureless seafloor off Port Hedland makes this a great opportunity to create new fish habitat and better fishing in a location identified by the community,” Dr Rowland said.

“Port Hedland is a passionate fishing town, with boat ownership around three times the Western Australian average.

“So, it is great to see BHP supporting a project that recognises the importance of fishing to the area and will benefit local families, visitors and the broader region.”

BHP has supported the project since funding feasibility and approvals work in 2020.

The new reef will complement other initiatives for the avid Pilbara fishing town, including the state-of-the-art Spoilbank Marina and two-storey fishing jetty, realising a long-held aspiration of the Port Hedland fishing community to promote fishing.